“I think to me, an urban Indian is somebody who maybe they were forced to be separated from their heartlands or chose to leave, or maybe has never known where their heartlands are, but still chooses to have a connection and still chooses to embody parts of their culture and their Indigenous heritage in ways that are important to them and to their community.”

Exploring Identity and Empowerment Through Art: A Glimpse into Lyla’s Journey

In a world where history, culture, and personal identity intersect, the impact of colonialism can be deeply nuanced, leaving lasting impressions on individuals and communities. We sit down with Lyla, an artist whose work encapsulates the essence of this intersection, as she reflects on her experiences, intergenerational trauma, and the transformative power of art. Lyla’s insights offer a unique perspective on how artistic expression can serve as a conduit for understanding, healing, and reshaping narratives.

Unveiling the Layers of Colonialism’s Influence

For Lyla, the effects of colonialism are not abstract concepts but lived experiences that intertwine with her daily life. Raised within the context of a colonialized world while residing on a reservation, she navigates a complex balance between external influences and the traditions passed down through generations. This juxtaposition often makes it challenging to discern how colonialism shapes her identity.

“In terms of how colonialism affects my life, it’s something that I am still grappling with and learning about. How does it affect me? It’s weird. It’s when you grow up in it, in a world that is colonialized, and you are also on the reservation. And you have influences from the outside world, but you also have influences from your culture that are coming back from traditions that are hundreds of years old.”

“It’s so close that you can’t see the bigger picture and how it’s shaping you,” Lyla shares. The proximity to colonialism’s impact can sometimes obscure the broader perspective, making it difficult to recognize its intricate influence. As we explore further, Lyla reveals that this dynamic is not just a distant historical event; it’s a continuous process that shapes how she relates to herself and the world around her.

Intergenerational Trauma and Patterns of Expression

The echoes of intergenerational trauma resound through Lyla’s life, leaving imprints on her emotional landscape and influencing her patterns of communication. Her family’s history is intertwined with the legacy of boarding schools—a painful chapter that has left its mark on her father and subsequently on her own journey. Lyla recounts her father’s stories of the harsh realities of boarding school, which have seeped into his emotional expressions and communication style.

“I think you can make the argument that colonialism has impacted everyone. That’s hundreds of years of colonialism, of genocide, and that doesn’t just go away.”

While her father doesn’t explicitly delve into the trauma, Lyla recognizes its lingering effects. “I know the things that he’s been through in his life have caused him to be the type of person that doesn’t always open up emotionally or verbally,” she explains. This pattern of emotional restraint has been internalized, causing Lyla to grapple with similar challenges in expressing herself and opening up to others.

The parallel between her and her father’s emotional responses underscores the profound impact of intergenerational trauma. However, it also serves as a catalyst for self-awareness and growth. Lyla acknowledges the need to actively break free from these patterns and to engage in practices that promote emotional openness and healing.

Dismantling Stereotypes Through Artistic Expression

In a world where stereotypes often shape perceptions of indigenous communities, Lyla’s art emerges as a powerful counterforce. Her creations challenge the preconceived notions of what Native art should be, bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary expression. Living in Santa Fe, a place often associated with a specific image of Native art, Lyla aims to broaden the narrative by emphasizing the importance of contemporary and modern indigenous work.

While I think it is important to emphasize the traditional roots of where our styles come from, I still think it’s important to emphasize a lot of contemporary and modern work, because that says, I think, more about what’s happening currently. And I think it does help dispel a lot of stereotypes. I think it helps educate other people, non-Natives, about the fact that we’re more than just this fairy tale book character. We’re modern people.

“While I think it is important to emphasize the traditional roots of where our styles come from, I still think it’s important to emphasize a lot of contemporary and modern work,” Lyla states. By embracing both traditional and contemporary elements, she invites others to recognize the multifaceted nature of indigenous identity—one that defies easy categorization and thrives in a realm of diverse artistic exploration.

“And also, taking a second to try to understand why do they think about us in this way? And then how do we help them dispel that belief or those perspectives of us? And then I also have to question, “How far do I go in attempting to be the educator before I have to be like, ‘Okay, I can only expend so much of my precious energy and breath attempting to educate you and help you understand before you just have to put the work in to being a good human being and trying to understand the real history between the Indigenous people on this continent and how colonialism has affected us for all of these hundreds of years and how it still is affecting us and how you play a role in that,’“ in trying to help these people who are so fascinated by us understand that there is a responsibility that they have to take in being an actively good ally. You can’t just sit passively back and be like, “I acknowledge whose lands I’m on.” You have to put the work in, and you have to not be afraid to engage with us.”

Embracing the Organic Flow of Creation

For Lyla, the process of bringing herself into her art is an intimate and instinctual experience. Rejecting the confines of rigid plans and sketches, she allows her hands to guide her through the creative labyrinth. “I have to feel the materials and play with them a little bit to be able to fully envision… It tends to be very touch-based,” she reveals.

“I think the way that I do bring myself into my art is a very organic and emotional, intuitive way of working.”

This tactile connection to materials becomes a form of meditation, channeling her energy and emotions into every piece. Her artistic expression serves as a dynamic reflection of her mental and emotional state, with each creation representing a snapshot of her inner world. It’s a journey through chaos and calm, a dance between the known and the unknown, and a testament to the transformative power of creative release.

From Restlessness to Resonance

Lyla’s artistic process becomes a therapeutic outlet, especially during times of restlessness and internal turbulence. During the pandemic, she experienced a creative block that forced her to confront the value of creative expression in her life. “If I am not making something, if I don’t have a project or something to keep my hands busy with, I do get extremely restless,” she admits.

This restlessness unveils a deeper truth—art is not merely a hobby but a lifeline that connects her to her own sense of purpose and well-being. The act of creating becomes a form of meditation, a way to quiet the chaos within, and a path to inner resonance. Lyla’s ability to adapt her artistic endeavors to her emotional needs exemplifies the dynamic interplay between her external and internal worlds.

A Fusion of Styles and Mediums

Lyla’s art is a testament to the diversity of her experiences and inspirations. Her portfolio traverses a range of materials, from heavy metals to plastics and even found objects. The amalgamation of different mediums reflects her ever-evolving identity and the different headspaces she occupies. As she explores new techniques, each piece encapsulates a snapshot of her journey, capturing the essence of a particular moment in time.

From jewelry that defies stereotypes to innovative chainmail designs, Lyla’s creations serve as a visual diary, chronicling her growth, challenges, and triumphs. Her art transcends cultural and artistic boundaries, speaking a universal language of human experience and personal evolution.

Art Beyond Boundaries

The prospect of the future prompts Lyla to contemplate where her art might flourish. Her yearning for adventure and the allure of urban landscapes tugs at her heart. She envisions herself in a bigger city, embracing the dynamic energy that such a space can offer. The urban environment, with its myriad influences and perspectives, could become a wellspring of inspiration for her ever-evolving creativity.

However, the resonance of her Native heritage remains a guiding force. Lyla acknowledges the pull of her ancestral lands, the reservation that holds stories and traditions passed down through generations. The prospect of learning traditional weaving from her grandmother becomes a testament to the importance of preserving cultural practices and the intergenerational transmission of knowledge.

“We’re all just trying to make it in this world. We all might have different experiences, but at the same time, I still look at other Indigenous people as being my relatives. And so, like I said, the experiences might be different, but I think that we’re all choosing to embody parts of our culture in ways that are really important to ourselves, personally.”

A Call to Adventure and Self-Discovery

The essence of Lyla’s artistic journey lies in its embodiment of adventure and self-discovery. As she explores the diverse landscapes of her own emotions and experiences, she invites us to join her on a path of creative introspection. Through her art, she opens a door to a world where chaos is transformed into meaning, where materials become conduits of expression, and where evolution is embraced with open arms.

In the full interview transcript, Lyla’s words come alive, painting a vivid picture of her artistic voyage and the complexities of her identity. As we step into the pages of her story, we’re reminded that art is not only a visual delight but a powerful catalyst for self-understanding and connection. The creative process becomes a mirror reflecting our shared humanity, inviting us to explore the intricate threads that weave together the tapestry of our lives.